Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-12-30

- 3 NJ tAgel 5alu on are well my
dear? Yes, I see. Fresh as a rose.
and as sweet"
She then gravely and ceremoniously
greeted Mas Fullerton, motioning her
to a seat and under cover Of converse
ton with Ruth, and an occasional word
to Laura, took a long and critical
survey Of the latter.
This Is something more than my
daily visit, madam" Ruth said at last.
/ want you to play for my friend
viii you ?"
Certainly, viii play for her.
Madame Hatherton opened the
piano, and her first touch Of the KEYS
proclaimed her master of the instru-
ment She played the old and half
forgotten music Of her girlhood: but
Laura Fullerton, herself fine musi-
oian, thought she never heard such
playing. and her heightened color and
the tears in her eyes proclaimed her
admiration The old lady was not
above such subtle hattery, and a gentle
flush Of pleasure stole into her with
cred cheeks She laid her hand gently
on Laura's arm "Once I could sing
the songs, she said, "but my poor old
voice Is cracked and broken now"
You need scarcely regret it, while
you make the piano sing so divinely,
was the enthusiastic response.
Madam Hatherton was pleased with
her guests; she treated them royalty,
making them partake Of cake Of her
own made, and wine that looked like
molten gold, or imprisoned sunshine,
IN delicate glasses. each one of which
was curiosity. She followed them to
the door, and even stepped over the
threshold to look after them, urging
them both TO come again soon. Her
gaze fingered longest upon Laura's tall
and elegant figure. and she kept her
eyes fixed on it till the curve in the
road hid her from view. Ruth was a
dear, sweet little creature, aud the old
lady loved her; but Laura had given
the tear Of sympathy and emotion dear
to the musicians soul-doubly dear to
the old and forgotten, who seldom find
such sympathy, save in their own mem
DRY of the triumphs of their youth.
$50 that is Laura Fullertonl" Madam
Hatherton murmured, as she returned
to her solitude, and closed the door
"She is a noble-looking girl, and If he
really loves her-who knows ?-she
may make a good man even of him.
Her face softened, her mouth auiv-
cred, and tears blinded the flashing
dark eyes. All at once she seemed to
grow very old, her limbs trembled. and
seemed TO fail her, and she sank help
lessly into chair
ooh, Alfred Aired 2" she cried, in a
broken, piercing voice. and then a
tempest Of grief shook her, while pas
sionate tears rained like a storm over
her aged face.
For some time Madam Hatherton
abandoned herself to this wave Of
emotion; but by and By, when its force
was spent, she rose tremblingly,
searched for heI keys, opened her sec
rotary, and took from it an envelope
which she opened, and drew fourth the |
csntents. It was her viii and she read
it carefully through. "Au this must /
be changed" she said; and replacing /
the will, locked her secretary, and re-
turned the keys to her pocket
We'll, she is an extraordinary Great I
ure, Ruth, SAID Laura, @and 7 don't /
wonder you feel an interest in her.
Her face haunts mel don't imagine
where / have seen hcr before"
"It's a haunting face, Laura. I'm
sure she has a history, and a curious
one attacked to her. "
"But she is certainly crazy to live
there alone and unprotected. Some
tramps VIII murder her, if only for the
diamonds she wears.
eyes, and it is useless to talk to her
4 have begged and implored. I
think you must try, Laura-she was
quite taken with you, and you have
such powers Of persuasion.
Laura laughed, incredulousIy. "There /
is one old lady should wish to try /
them on. " she said
What do you mean? There's no new /
trouble between you and Edward. I |
hope.
"Only that his dreadful old aunt has
cast him of forever. and that I am for
hidden to speak to him by papa O..
Ruth, I'm so miserable-noo one believes {
n him but ne; every one calls him
and my heart is broken
about it
'rBut his aunt-what is the new /
.rouble? Perhaps she viii relent"
'sNo, chance of that. In order to re- /
move. herself from the temptation of /
MS influence she has disappeared, aud !
left no trace of her whereabouts. Poor !
Edward Ne wonder he is desperate /
they drive him 80.
''But what sort Of a woman Is this
aunt ?" pursued Ruth, much interested, /
after the manner Of her sex, in love
story.
At don't know, dear. RevsB saw
her, never heard her name. He was
afraid to introduce me lest she should
me against him, I think"
Ruth was all sympathy and full OF
hopeless suggestions; aud the two girls, |
having become fairly embarked on
subject so near the heart Of one Of
them, soon forgot old Madam Hather-
ton
These two girls occupied the same
room; and the discussion Of Laura's
love affair still engaged them when
they fell asleep. 1t was close on mid
NIGHT when Ruth started up with a cry